Social media can be a powerful and valuable tool for communication, engagement and promotion, offering convenience and communication opportunities in many instances. But social media can also raise questions around the safety and ethical implications of its use in communities serving young people. Drawing on the practical experience of the Safeguarding Children Services team at the Australian Childhood Foundation and contemporary academic research, this guide aims to support personnel and young people by exploring social media use from policy through to practice.

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It helps to

• Understand the scope of social media and the most common forms used in organisational settings
• Examine the safety and ethical considerations behind social media use, particularly from a safeguarding perspective
• Reflect on social media use within an organisational setting to explore gaps and opportunities that make social media use as safe as possible, particularly for children and young people
• Apply checklists and other tools to guide best practice